The World of the Crusades

The Crusades were fueled by religious ideology and concrete objectives such as land, resources, power, and reputation. Crusaders amassed possessions of all sorts, and campaigns required material funds and equipment. Conquests produced bureaucracies, taxation, economic exploitation, and commercial regulation. Wealth sustained the Crusades, while material objects, such as weaponry and military technology, conditioned them. This book explores the material trappings of crusading wars and the objects that memorialized them, such as architecture, sculpture, jewelry, painting, and manuscripts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 520 pages
Publication date: 14 November 2023
Publisher: Yale University Press

A vibrant retelling of the distant medieval world of warfare, drawing on the artifacts utilized and crafted by crusaders, delves into the intricate tapestry of motivations that drove these religious expeditions. While religious ideology served as the driving force behind the crusades, the resulting military campaigns were propelled by tangible goals such as land acquisition, resource exploitation, power consolidation, and reputation enhancement. Crusaders amassed an array of possessions, ranging from majestic castles to precious reliquaries, as they embarked on their quest for religious conquest. These campaigns necessitated substantial financial resources and an array of equipment, from weaponry and military technology to carpentry and shipping. However, it was the wealth generated by these endeavors that sustained the crusades, while the material objects themselves, encompassing a wide range of items from weaponry and military technology to carpentry and shipping, shaped and conditioned these historical events.

In this lavishly illustrated volume, Christopher Tyerman explores the material remnants of crusading wars and the artifacts that immortalized them. Through his meticulous examination of architecture, sculpture, jewelry, painting, and manuscripts, Tyerman sheds light on how the crusaders themselves articulated their mission, perceived their place in the world, and interacted with the cultures they both drew upon and sought to subjugate. By incorporating the physical and visual remnants of crusading, Tyerman enhances our understanding of these complex conflicts, offering a deeper appreciation of the multifaceted nature of the crusades and their enduring impact on the medieval world.

A note to readers: As you delve into the pages of this volume, you will encounter gray-shaded pages that provide in-depth examinations of various themes related to the crusades. These short essays, interspersed throughout the chapters and the main text, offer insightful perspectives on topics such as food and drink, medicine, weapons, and the significant role played by women in these historical events. The main narrative will continue uninterrupted after each essay, allowing for a comprehensive and immersive exploration of the crusades.

For example, the essay "Taking the Cross" spans from pages 4 to 7, and the Introduction continues on page 8. This arrangement ensures that readers can delve into the intricacies of the crusades from multiple angles, gaining a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal period in history.

Weight: 1018g
Dimension: 158 x 235 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300274219